MONIED OFFICIALS
Dear ER:
As a 24 year Redondo resident, I am deeply concerned about the accountability of a few of our civil servants. Our city manager makes a very generous salary of approximately $220,000 (with a pending 3 percent increase, up for approval at the next Council meeting) and an exuberant amount of pension, healthcare and spending account benefits unrivaled by Corporate CEOs of companies well over the $100 million budget of Redondo. In light of this, and the several times our manager has stated in Council meetings that his work schedule is overloaded — with no time to take on special projects — he is moonlighting as a leadership trainer at a speaking and group consultancy business! (Refer to: http://7workscenter.com/about/)
Is this allowable in his contract with the City? As a resident taxpayer, I am concerned with this extracurricular activity and the fact he is further capitalizing on his experience and contacts gained and paid for by the City and residents. Most companies take issue with this type of activity.
And what of our City Treasurer who promised to cut his salary to $25,000 per year during his campaign? He campaigned that it is not a full-time position, yet he is receiving full-time compensation of $112,000 per year plus benefits. Will he be returning/donating the additional $87,000 back to the City? Oh well, this isn’t the first time a politician campaigned on lofty and empty promises. Better luck next election fellow residents!
Dawn Esser
Redondo Beach
CROWDSOURCING COUNCIL
Dear ER:
Next month, the Hermosa Beach City Council will take up two controversial issues and I’d like to hear from you at nbarragan@hermosabch.org or (424) 206-3963.
The first issue is whether to allow Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ, a restaurant that currently serves only beer and wine, to begin serving full liquor (e.g. vodka, margaritas). Silvio’s is offering to reduce their hours of operation on non-weekend nights in exchange for being allowed to serve full liquor. Will this intensify alcohol use downtown? Is this something that the city council wants to grant that will continue regardless of who owns Silvio’s (a successor restaurant)? Is this needed to help Hermosa Beach businesses survive? I am meeting with Silvio’s management this week about their reasons for their request, but I’d like to also hear from residents. What are your questions or concerns about this issue?
Secondly, the city council will consider whether to add security cameras downtown on Pier Plaza and in two surrounding parking lots. Some residents have expressed concern over the misuse of the cameras while others argue that there cannot be a reasonable expectation of privacy on the Plaza and are needed to improve security on the Pier Plaza. What do you think?
Finally, I have proposed that the city council agree to set up a complaint system that would be prominently displayed on the city’s home page that allows residents, businesses and visitors to file complaints and/or make service requests. The system would include a tracking feature to provide accountability. Until the council approves such a system, I will set-up a “complaint page” at my website at nanettebarragan.com for you to report a broken light, graffiti, or other complaint or request. I was elected to work for you, I look forward to hearing from you.
Nanette Barragan
Hermosa Beach
ONE LUCKY PIG
Dear ER:
I enjoyed Rachel Reeves piece on Hamilton, the teacup pig. It’s obvious to me that the Wolf family loves their pet pig. Pigs are wonderful animals and they are very smart. From the photos shown, it appears that the Wolf family has a nice yard for Hamilton. So many beach community residents (including myself) don’t have the adequate space nor sunny and shady areas for a pet pig to dwell in.
The breeder, Pixiepigs, calls Hamilton a Teacup pig. The fact of the matter is, Teacup pigs, Micro pigs, Micro- mini pigs, and Miniature pigs are all the same thing. Breeders just use these different name labels to entice. The Wolfs were told Hamilton would be 45 lbs when fully grown. Most pet pig breeders would tell their customers the same thing. The fact of the matter is that there are no sudden new lines of genetic pig size variations. Healthy “pet pigs” grow to be around 100 lbs. and many grow much larger than that.
If someone is considering getting a pet pig, then please do adequate research regarding pet pigs. Breeders make their living selling animals. Acquire your swine knowledge from unbiased sources.
There are several pig rescues and sanctuaries within just a couple of hours from here. Unlike the Wolf family, many families who were told their pet pig would remain small were unable to keep their 100 lb. pig. Hence, there is quite a surplus of pigs needing adoption, and sadly, the number of adoptees is increasing. You can go to the Petfinder.com website to get a small glimpse of what cute little piglets mature into. They’re still cute, but it takes a special home and the knowledge to make it work.
Hamilton, you are one lucky pig!
Julie Seidman
Manhattan Beach
REDONDO’S MONSTERS
Dear ER:
Soon the California, Energy Commission will decide the need for a new power plant in Redondo Beach. Note: Everyone knows by now what we want, the commission decides on need. We have tolerated that “old ugly monster” power plant and I for one am ready to live with a new smaller plant if necessary.
Future generations may develop their own methods of energy production.
Meanwhile, we should now focus our attention to the waterfront and pier development. So far the developers plan looks like a different “ugly waterfront monster” that we don’t need.
Gennaro Pupa
Redondo Beach
SCOOPING FOR XMAS
Dear ER:
Attention dog owners. It seems that the city of Hermosa Beach has recently added numerous well stocked doggie poop bag dispensers along the Strand. And it’s working: I noticed that the walkway was incredibly clean. Hopefully, the city will continue to make sure that the dispensers are regularly well stocked. So if you are out on the Strand with your dog in Hermosa and you forgot to bring along a poop bag, you no longer have to worry. Enjoy the holidays and take your dog for a walk on the Strand.
Fred Huebscher
Hermosa Beach
CALL TO ACTION
Dear ER:
This is a holiday call to action to my fellow Hermosans! As usual, we will all likely be spending a few more bucks out and about this month, and I wonder what impact we can make if we try to do most or all of our shopping right here in town. There are many unique gifts under right our noses, wonderful eating establishments with gift certificates, as well as an exceptionally festive and non-crowded shopping environment. Yesterday, after a haircut at Mimosa, I proceeded to walk up and down Pier Avenue sipping my Java Man coffee and picking up some great things at Becker, the Bath Bar, Details, Gum Tree Kids, Spyder, and more. Today I think I’ll mosey down for a pedicure before seeing what else I can find. Procrastinator? Last year my husband and I ran around Hermosa on Christmas Eve and had a blast finding all of our gifts in the “St. Nick” of time. Hermosa’s economic future is in all our hands. I know many would like to see it thrive and evolve into an even stronger economic future for our city – one that welcomes and supports independent business owners who enjoy bringing a wonderful quality of life as well as valuable products and services to their neighbors throughout the year. There are several vacant commercial properties in our small city. One of the things I like to do as I drive around is imagine what additional value-added businesses I’d like to see that we could actively attract here to this great community. What would you like to see? Keep Hermosa money Hermosa and Happy Holidays to all.
Mary Campbell
Hermosa Beach
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
Dear ER:
Manhattan Beach residents should note and applaud the Hermosa Beach continued “Community Dialogue,” a “public engagement” process whereby elected officials are encouraging Hermosans to influence critical decisions on priorities and revenue generation (“Debt-free Hermosa’s okay financially, citizen committee finds” (ER online edition, December 10). Through outreach, consultation, and creative consensus building dynamics, Hermosa Beach is promoting empowerment of residents and consultative democracy.
In contrast, Manhattan Beach has eschewed public engagement. Its elected officials, overall, rely on anachronistic and regressive “public participation” characterized by one-way communication patronizing residents into impotency rather than public deliberation and sustained problem solving.
Cities and counties throughout California are recognizing the benefits of public engagement including better identification of the public’s values, ideas, and recommendations; more fully informed citizens; improved decision-making and implementation; greater ability to overcome obstacles; and, heightened policy unanimity and support.
For Hermosans, the process is providing the opportunities and challenges, along with the hurdles, of building their unique community identity rather than wanting “to be like Manhattan Beach” or “become Rodeo Drive at the beach.” Instead, Manhattan Beach should look to Hermosa Beach as a prototype for modeling its future – if it has the will to do so.
Edward C. Caprielian
Manhattan Beach
